History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 68

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 199-?]
Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.]
Number of Pages: 954

USA > Indiana > Orange County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 68
USA > Indiana > Washington County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 68
USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 68

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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Paoli, and the following year began doing a retail drug trade. with a stock valued at abont $2,200. In this Dr. Bowles has been more than ordinarly successful, and he now has one of the most complete stocks of drugs and druggist's sundries kept in southern Indiana, and is valued at about $15,000. He owns about 800 acres of land, and in 1874 built the finest residence in Orange County. His marriage with Miss Lizzie Andrews of Fredericksburg, Ind., was solemnized September 25, 1861. and to their union two children have been born, named William T. and James A. He is an ardent Democrat in politics and a member of the Blue Lodge in Masonry. Dr. Bowles has made his own way in life, beginning the prac- tice of his profession with $25 of borrowed capital. He is now one of the wealthy and influential meu of the county. He has been one of the School Trustees of Paoli for several years and is now a fifth owner in the Orange County Agricultural Association, of which he has been Superin- tendent ever since its organization in the spring of 1883.

JESSE BOYD, one of the few remaining old settlers of Orange County, Ind., was born in Randolph County, N. C., May 4, 1818, and is the third of six children, only two yet living, born to William and Mary (Hopwood) Boyd, the parents now being dead. The parents of William Boyd were William and Rhoda (Davenport) Boyd, and they were natives of Ireland, coming to this country in the eighteenth century and settling in Virginia. William Boyd, Sr., served the Colonies faithfully in their struggle for independence. Jesse Boyd in 1839 started West on foot from his native country, and after walking 600 miles arrived in Orange County, Ind., where he found employment in the construction of the old turnpike, but afterward engaged in the manufacture of wheat fans. Elizabeth Hollowell became his wife March 13, 1842, and about this time Mr. Boyd engaged in farming. This has always been his occu- pation, and although he commenced life's battle a poor boy, he has with the help of his wife accumulated about 1,000 acres of land, but having given about 700 acres to his children he now only owns 300 acres. Mrs. Boyd was born in Orange County, Ind., February 16, 1825, a daughter of William and Martha (Lindley) Hollowell, both sides of her family settling in Orange County previous to 1812. To Mr. and Mrs. Boyd these children have been born: William L., born June 23, 1843; Mary A., born November 1, 1844; Robert H., July 8, 1846; Franklin, March 1, 1848; Ruth E., born September 28, 1849; John T., January 16, 1852 : Charles, August 25, 1853; Austin, April 25, 1855, died April 16, 1863; Owen C., February 3, 1858 ; Elwood, November 29, 1859; Martha J., November 10, 1861; James M., May 27, 1864, and Jesse, born July 20, 1866. The mother died May 2, 1881. She was one of the true pioneer women of her day and bravely aided her husband in his efforts to build up a home. Mr. Boyd married his present wife October 12, 1882. She was Miss Maria E. Brown, daughter of Hutcheson and Harriet (Banks) Brown, both of whom are now dead. Hutcheson Brown was one of the early pioneers of Washington County, Ind., and was a typo on the first paper published in that county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Boyd belong to the Society of Friends.

THOMAS. N. BRAXTAN was born in Paoli Township, Orange Co .. Ind., January S. 1824, son of Hiram and Martha (White) Braxtan, and is of Scotch lineage. The parents of Mr. Braxtan emigrated from North Carolina to Orange County, Ind., or the territory that now composes this county, as early, perhaps, as 1810. Here the mother of our subject died

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in 1853, and his father in 1864. About 1848 Mr. Braxtan began the mercantile business in Paoli, which be continued until 1865. For many years he has been engaged in the manufacture and sale of the Hindostan oil and sand stone. In 1800 he began dealing in stock, and in 1883 he purchased White Clond, the sire of Flora Bell, whose record at Chicago in IS83 was 2.123. Mr. Braxtan was formerly a Whig, and is now a Republican. In 1868 he made the race to represent Orange and Craw. ford Counties in the General Assembly, and was only defeated by forty. two votes. and the Democratic majority in the two counties at that time was more than four hundred. Mr. Braxtan was married in 1848 to Miss Martha Parker, who died in 1850, and in 1852 Mr. Braxtan was married to Miss Emily Campbell, who died in 1856, and in 1860 he married Miss Ada Vance, of Corydon, Ind. Mr. Braxtan is one of the oldest living settlers of Paoli.

JOHN H. BRAXTAN, old settler, was born in Paoli Township, Orange Co., Ind., March 1, 1828, son of Jonathan and Mary (Henley) Braxtan, and is of Scotch lineage. The father of Mr. Brastan was born in North Carolina and his mother was an Ohioan. The former came to what is now Orange County, Ind, at a very early day, probably as early as 1810. His death took place at Kokomo, Ind., in 1879, and there the mother of our subject died the same year. By occupation John H. Braxtan is a farmer and stock-raiser. He settled where he now resides in 1852 and is the owner of 256 acres of well improved land. In 1870, he formed a partnership with John A. Hudelson in the stock-dealing business, which has been one of great profit and which still continues. Mr. Braxtan was married in 1851 to Miss Cornelia A. Patton, a native of North Carolina, and these children were born to this marriage: George E., Mary F., Rebecca, deceased, Jardes H., Attie, deceased, Joseph G., an infant that died unnamed. Arthur J., and Charles F. Formerly Mr. Braxtan was a Whig in politics, but is now a Republican. Mrs. Braxtan is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. For more than a half century Mr. Braxtan has been a resident of Orange County, where he and family are well known and highly respected.

GEORGE A. BUSKIRK, Auditor of Orange County, was born at Orangeville, Ind., May 25, 1857. a son of John B. and Maria H. (Rit. ter) Buskirk, appropriate mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. In youth he assisted his father und attended the district schools, but afterward entered the State University at Bloomington, where he remained three years. In 1875 he received the appointment of Deputy Clerk of the county, serving as such three years and one year longer as Deputy Auditor. In 1880, when only twenty-three years of age. he was elected to the Auditorship of the county, being the youngest man ever elected to that position in Indiana. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, taking an active interest in the progress and welfare of his party as well as in all matters of a public and beneficial character. Miss Dessie F. Albert, a native of Orange County, Indiana, became his wife on August 20, 1878, and Harry and Fred are the names of their two children. Mr. Buskirk joined the I. O. O. F. in 1881 and one year later was made a Mason. He cast his first Presidential vote for General Hancock in 1880. He is at present Secretary of the Orange County Agricultural Society.

GEORGE W. CAMPBELL, a native of the county of which he is now Treasurer. was born at Lick Creek, August 12, 1843, a son of Max-

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well and Sarah (Field) Campbell, who were natives respectively of North Carolina and Kentucky, and who were among the pioneers of Orange County, Indiana. At twenty years of age George W. Campbell began doing for himself, and shortly thereafter engaged in merchandising at Orangeville, which he continued until 1870, when he purchased a farm on Lost River and for three years was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He then opened a store at Lick Creek, and in 1881 established another at Newton Stewart. In 1883 he purchased an interest in the West Baden Springs, and besides this and his extensive mercantile interests, Mr. Campbell owns 550 acres of land which are under his direct supervision. In politics he has always labored in the best interests of the Republican party, and in 1882 was elected County Treasurer, and to his credit be it said that the finances of Orange County have never been entrusted to more competent or trustworthy hands. Mr. Campbell was married in 1866 to Miss Annie Rhodes, and to them two children have been born, named Fannie R. and Noble C. The home of the family is at Lick Creek in French Lick Township.

THOMAS. V. CLAXTON was born in Orange County, February 24, 1838, the son of Jeremiah an .. Delilah (Pierce) Claxton, the father a Kentnekian and the mother a Pennsylvanian. The Claxtons are of Scotch- Irish descent, and the grandfather, Joshua, lived in Kentucky, where he died, leaving a widow with three children. They came to this county in 1830, and later the mother died in 1855 in New Albany. Jere- miah was reared at hard work. His first wife bore him four children, and his second wife, who was Eliza A. Walker, bore him seven. Thomas V. was raised on a farm though his parents resided in Paoli. He received a fair education, and upon reaching manhood began for himself. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-fourth Regiment I. V. I., and was with his command in all the important movements, expedi- tions and battles through which it passed. At the siege of Vicksburg he was severely wounded in the right temple, but soon recovered. He returned home and commenced farming which he has since continued, and now owns eighty-seven acres of good land. March 14, 1865, he married Rosanna Wells, who has borne him six children: Rolla V., Martha J., Laura E., James T., Charles O. and an infant, deceased. Mr. Claxton is a Republican, a member of the Union Baptist Church and an exemplary man. Mrs. Claxton was born in this county March 6, 1844. Orange County has no better citizens than the Claxtons.

JOHN G. CLEMENTS was born in this township May 12. 1830, son of .James and Elizabeth (Garr) Clements, the father a native of Virginia, and the mother of Kentucky. The parents married in Kentucky, and soon after the war of 1812 located in this township, where they reared twelve children, and lived until their deaths. They were excellent peo. ple. leaving a name above reproach. John G. was brought up a farmer, and was educated at the common schools. At the age of twenty-one years he began for himself. working for $7 per month, and later renting a farm, and still later bought part of the old place, to which he has since added eighty acres, now owning 180 acres. He did all this by good man- agement and industry. He married Judith A. Sallee, December 19, 1855. She was born in Washington County, this State. December 21, 1832. and has borne her husband five children: James E., Christiana E .. Martha A., Mary E. and John A. W. Mr. Clements is comfortably situated, and devotes himself to the intelligent management of his farm. He is a Republican, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.

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HENRY COMINGORE was born at Harrodsburg, Ky., May 22, 1813, and was brought up there and in Indiana, to which latter place his par- ents removed in 1825, locating at Rockville, Parke County. His early education was very meager-consisting of his being able to read, write and cipher a little. In 1828 he went to Indianapolis, and entered the office of Smith & Bolton to learn the printing business, at which he has since been engaged-a period of about fifty six years. He is thus the oldest printer in the State, having spent more days in the printing office than any other living citizen. Two years after going to Indianapolis, he went to Madison, where Bolton had started another office, but in 1833 he became connected with the publication of the Wabash Herald, whose edi- tor was John Marts. About a year later Mr. Comingore went to Coving- ton and started the Western Constellation, but after two or three years sold out and engaged in milling, but this property was soon destroyed by fire. He then went to Indianapolis and again entered a printing office. In 1539 he came to Paoli and founded the True American, which he con- ducted until 1846, then went to Jasper and started the American Eagle, which paper be removed to Paoli in 1848 and conducted until 1874. From 1576 to ISTS he conducted the Greenback Adrocate. He is at present connected with the Paoli News. His marriage to Miss Cynthia Ann Johnson occurred at Rockville, November 10, 1834, and the following are his children: David O., Mary E., Edward H., Joseph W., Henry. Jr., and one deceased. Mr. Comingore is an old-fashioned Jacksonian Democrat, and has during his long life rendered his party signal service.

SHADRACH B. A. CONDER is a native of Orleans Township, this county, born November 23, 1829, a son of John and Elizabeth K. (Carter) Conder, who were natives of Kentucky and of Irish-German descent. He was raised on a farm, and in 1847 became a member of Company D of the Regular Army, serving through the Mexican war and at its close was discharged at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. In 1861 he again vol- unteered his services in his country's behalf, and for six months belonged to the Twenty- fourth Regimental Band of the United States Army. In 1862 he was commissioned a Second Lientenant by the Governor, and after recruiting Company E of the Sixty.sixth Indiana Volunteer Infan- try, was elected First Lieutenant. He served through some of the hardest fought battles and campaigns of the late war, and was honorably dis- charged at its conclusion. From that time until 1878 Mr. Conder fol- lowed merchandising at Orleans, and from then until 1881, when he was burned out, was engaged in the saw and planing-mill business. In pol. itics he was a Whig. but since its organization has been a warm sup- porter of the Republican party, and as such was elected Sheriff of the county in ISS2. Since 1832 he has been a member of the I. O. O. F., and has served in various responsible positions in this order. To his marriage with Miss Amy E. Lee, which occurred in June, 1850, seven children were born, only two yet living. The mother died in 1862, and three years later Mr. Cunder selected Miss Sarah J. Webb for his second wife, and of the eight children born to their nnion all are dead bnt three. Mrs. Conder belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

EDWARD CORNWELL, Recorder of Orange County, and one of its few remaining old pioneers, was born in Jefferson County, Ky .. in 1509. and is the seventh in a large family of children born to William and Mary F. (Swan) Cornwell who were natives respectively of Virginia and Maryland. His mother's father was a native of the Old Dominion,

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and her grandfather was born in France. When about twelve years old, Edward Cornwell removed from his native State to Orange County, Ind. In October, 1831. Miss Nancy Johnson, a native of Shelby County, Ky., became his wife, and after bearing a family of seven children. all living but one, Mrs. Cornwell died in 1880. Mr. Cornwell, following the ex- ample set by his father, who cast his first Presidential ballot for Jeffer- son in 1800, is a Democrat, voting first for Jackson as his choice for the Presidency. In 1876 he was elected Recorder of the County, and in 1880 re-elected, serving in this capacity with credit to himself and sat. isfaction to the public. In 1849 he and wife joined the Regular Bap- tist Church, of which Mr. Cornwell is yet a member. Mr. Cornwell is remarkably well-preserved for his age, being yet robust and vigorous.

MRS. ELIZABETH COX, widow of William Cox, residing near Paoli, was born in Orange County, N. C., November 19, 1816. When six years old she came with her parents. Joel and Rebecca (Thompson) Cloud, to Orange County, Ind., where her home has ever since been. and where her parents afterward died. Mrs. Cox attended school at what is known as "Hogs' Defeat." in the primitive log schoolhouse of her day. On March 10, 1836, she married William Cox, a native of this county, born in 1513. Mr. Cox was a son of Joseph and Mary (Lines) Cox. who came from Tennessee to Indiana in 1810. and a short time afterward to Orange County. He was reared in his native county and educated in the common schools of the time. When a young man he chose farming for his avocation, and this with milling, constituted his life's occupa- tion. In early times he built a "horse-mill," and being the only one for several miles around was well patronized. The death of Mr. Cox occurred in November. 1857, but his widow still survives him and resides on the old homestead. They were the parents of eleven children and reared them all to manhood and to womanhood. The following are their names in the order of their birth: John, dead; Martha, dead; Joel, Mary, Rebecca, dead; Annie, dead; William and Joseph. The old place now owned by Mrs. Cox. William and Joseph, consists of 160 acres, to which they have added 9S more, and have a saw-mill on the place. John. the eldest son, served in the late war in Company K. Fourteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, but died at Cheat Mountain, from exposure.

GEORGE W. DOUGHERTY. proprietor of the Spring Mill near Paoli, is son of Gabriel and Sarah (Scoggins) Dougherty, and was born May 14, 1832, in Stampers Creek Township. Gabriel was a native of Kentucky, and in 1815, at the age of six years, he came to Indiana with his parents who ever afterward made their home in Orange County. He was a soldier in the Mexican war and at the battle of Buena Vista was wounded, and also lost an eye. He was a man of little educa- tion and an abundance of ability. He always refused political honors. He was married three times, his first wife bearing him four children, among them George W. She was a widow with one child, as was also his second, by whom he was the father of four more children, and by his third wife ten more, making in all eighteen of his own. George W. Dougherty has always lived in Orange County, and was educated in its common schools. January 5, 1853, he was united in matrimony to Maria Ann, daughter of William and Anna (Cornwell) Grigsby, who were among the earliest settlers in Orange County from the South. Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty are parents of ten children: of these Sarah A., William, George, Mclellan and Albert are yet living. From his youth Mr.

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Dougherty has been a miller by trade. In 1878 he purchased and remodeled the Spring Mill, near Paoli, and has since operated it with two sets of buhrs run by water-power, and is doing a good business. Polit. ically he is Democrat and religiously he and wife are Regular Baptists. NATHAN M. FARLOW, farmer, living on the old Farlow home. stead, which was settled by his grandfather, Joseph Farlow, in 1811, was born near where he yet resides, January 5, 1842, and is the youngest of . five children born to his father's marriage with Ruth Maris, who was his wife. On the death of Mrs. Farlow when Nathan MI. was only about two years old, his father married Mary Hill, by whom he was the father of four children: Jonathan Farlow, son of Joseph and father of Nathan M., was born July 18. 1807, in Orange County, N. C., from whence he removed with his father and mother, the latter being Ruth Lindley, a sister of Zachariah, and daughter of the one wbo laid out the town of Paoli, in the summer of 1811, and settled on the farm now owned by Nathan M., entering the land from the Government. The original pat- ent for this land is now in possession of the owner of the property. Both the parents of Jonathan Farlow have long since been dead, as is also Jonathan and his first wife. Jonathan Farlow received a fair edu- cation in youth, and died September 14, 1873. His first wife died November 17, 1843. She was born in Orange County, N. C., July 18, 1814. His second wife is yet living and is in the township. The fam . ily, on both sides. were members of the Society of Friends or Quakers. Nathan M. Farlow has never known any home but in Orange County, Ind. He was left motherless when only two years old, and was raised by bis uncle, Nathan Farlow, in yonth, receiving only a common school education. January 4, 1864, he enlisted as a private in Company F, Thir- teenth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, serving through the engagements in and around Murfreesboro the winter of 1864, afterward going to New Orleans, then to Spanish Fort, and at the surrender of Mobile. From there they returned through Alabama to Mississippi, doing special duty in this State until being mustered out at Vicksburg November 18, 1865. He is the owner of 232 acres of good land. In politics he is Repub- lican, and February 4. 1869, was married to Martha, daughter of Daniel and Mary A. (Milliken) Cloud, who was born February 21, 1849, in Orange County, Ind., by whom he is the father of four chil- dren, named: Elmer, Harry, Mary A. and William. The parents have their church membership with the Quakers. Mrs. Mary (Hill) Farlow. second wife of Jonathan, deceased, is yet living, and resides in southern Paoli Township. Of the four children of which she is the mother, only three are yet living, two living with Mrs. Farlow on a farm of 140 acres. The two oldest children are married. Joseph Farlow, the old pioneer, died July 14, 1845, in bis seventy-third year, followed by his widow January 2, 1854, aged nearly seventy four years. The names of the children born to Jonathan Farlow's first marriage were: Jane-MIrs. Mark Hill; Joseph, who first married Hannah J. Hill, who died, then Rebecca Cox. and after her death married Mary E. Hill, and resides in Kansas; Deborah, Mrs. John Atkinson; Thomas, deceased, amd Nathan M. To the union of Jonathan Farlow and Mary (Hill) Farlow, these children were born: Lindley; Ruth, deceased; Ellen, Mrs. Joseph Trim- ble; Asenath M. The oldest of these-Lindley-married Mary Peacock, and resides with his mother.

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WILLIAM FARRELL, an attorney of sixteen years' practice at the bar of Orange County, was born in New Albany, Ind., February 10, 1841, a son of Andrew and Sarah (Metheney) Farrell. Andrew Farrell's parents were natives of Ireland, but he was born at Liverpool, England, December 4, 1802, and in about 1816 immigrated to the United States. For nearly ten years he followed seafaring, but then settled in Boston, from whence be removed to New Albany, Ind., in 1829, where he died in 1872. His wife was born near Morgantown, on Cheat River, W. Va., in 1805, and died in 1876. William Farrell received his early education in the public schools of New Albany, and in 1861 enlisted in Company B, Thirty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, receiving his discharge in February, 1862. In July of the latter year he became a clerk in the Sub- sistence Department of Hancock's Army of the Potomac, a position he retained until the close of the war. He began the study of law at New Albany with Judge J. S. Davis, and in 1868 graduated from the Law Department of the Michigan State University. The fall of this year, he located for the practice of his profession. at Paoli, and has here since resided, engaged in active legal pursuits. Mr. Farrell is the fortunate pos- sessor of one of the most complete and extensive law libraries, from the organization of the Northwest Territory to the present, to be found in Indiana. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. In 1869 Miss Mary A., daughter of Henry T. and Harriet A. Wible, became his wife, and to their union were born five children: Alice W., Harrison H., Frances H. (deceased). Josephine P. and Mary E. The mother died October 2, 1883.

WILLIAM P. GABBERT, druggist and apothecary, is a native Indi- anian, born at Salem, November 27, 1853, and is of German descent. His parents, Charles D. and Rebecca (Barnett) Gabbert, were natives of Kentucky and Virginia. respectively, and were among the early settlers of Washington County, Ind. William P was raised on his father's farm and in early years secured a good common school education. In 1870 he came to Paoli, and for three years was employed as general man- ager of the widely known Albert Hotel, which has since burned. He afterward clerked in a drug store for a time and was then sent to Orleans to take charge of a drug store at that place for Dr. J. H. Bowles, and there remained three years. In ISS2 with John A. Hndelson for a partner, and under the firm name of Gabbert & Hudelson, he embarked in the drug trade at Paoli and has since continued. Messrs. Gabbert & Hudelson have upward of $8,000 invested in their drug business and their store and stock is far superior to the average country drug stores, and would be a credit to any city in Indiana. The marriage of Mr. Gab- bert and Miss Belle, daughter of John P. and Elvira E. Foster was sol- emnized in 1874, and to them have been born two children: Maggie and Charles F., deceased.

JOSEPH HALL was born in Paoli Township. Orange Co., Ind., June 4, 1828, one of twelve children of Richard and Polly (Everette) Hall. Richard was born of Welsh descent in Wayne County, N. C. In company with his brother John and brother-in-law named Newsom, he settled in Stampers Creek Township in 1811. He married in this county in 1813, and together he and wife shared the hardships of pioneer life. His death occurred in 1871. having been known throughout life as an honest and industrious citizen. Joseph Hall has known no other home than Orange County. After receiving a common school education in the

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History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 68

Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 199-?] Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.] Number of Pages: 954

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 199-?]
Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.]
Number of Pages: 954